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I have always found it hard to take a position when it comes to the controversies in beauty pageants. Feminism defines such events as highly disrespectful and shallow, as ways to objectify women and show them primarily as sexual objects. On the other side, there are the people who believe that beauty is an important quality that deserves attention, that participation in such contests is a chance for women to express themselves and have fun. I guess both opinions are equally valid, but it is not my job to judge; rather, I would like to show another point of view.

In my university, there is this annual contest called Miss AUBG Beauty Pageant. It has been its fourth year in a roll and for the short time it has existed, it initiated a lot of controversy and discussions among students and faculty. Every year there is a lot of critique going on about the contest and some considerable negativism has been expressed towards it. As much as it is fun to read and watch what the opponents have to say about it, it also strikes me that nobody bothers to flip the coin and see its other side.